The Associated PressThese September 2012 file photos show Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren, left, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., right, in the November 2012 general election. (AP Photos/File)

In the previous MassINC poll, conducted from Sept. 26-28, Obama led by 28 points and Brown trailed by four points, indicating that Brown may have received a post-presidential debate bump courtesy of the former governor.

The new poll concluded that while 80 percent of those interviewed had heard at least a fair amount about the controversy over Warren's Native American ancestry, 49 percent said it was "not at all important." Seventeen percent said it was "very important" and 13 percent said the issue was "somewhat important."

Both Brown and Warren's favorable/unfavorable ratings remained stable compared to the previous MassINC poll and currently sit at 54/31 percent and 47/38 percent, respectively.

The two candidates will take the stage on Wednesday at Symphony Hall in Springfield for the third of four televised debates. The showdown will be broadcast on local TV stations including WSHM CBS-3; on cable courtesy of C-SPAN and NECN and online at MassLive.com.

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